PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has sought an explanation from the State government on appointing officers holding posts analogous to Chairman and Member Secretary of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to these two posts.
The court sought the explanation while hearing a writ petition on the appointments of Chairman and Member Secretary of GSPCB.
The government has submitted to the court notification of the guidelines for the chairman and member secretary at GSPCB wherein the essential qualifications for both the posts are Masters Degree in Science relating to Environment or a Bachelors Degree in Engineering having discipline relating to environment protection from a recognised university or institute.
For the post of chairperson, the requirement is 10 years practical experience relating to environment protection with 20 years of past services rendered. For the post of member secretary, the requirement is 12 years service in a group ‘A’ post not below the rank and pay scale of level 10 of the pay matrix in a Government Department or autonomous body with practical experience in matters relating to scientific engineering or management.
“To this extent, the notification concerning the posts of Chairperson and member secretary would satisfy the requirements of law, but the problem is that the same notification makes eligible, the officers under the State Government/ Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous / Statutory bodies holding analogous posts to be appointed with experience as specified in clause ‘A’ at Sr. No. 4 of the notification,” the bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nadrajog and Justice Mahesh Sonak observed.
“Meaning, thereby it is possible that officers moving from analogous bodies to become eligible to be appointed as Chairperson or member secretary may not have necessary educational qualifications for the reasons we do not know the Recruitment rules of the analogous organisation. No guidelines have been framed with respect to eligibility of Members of the Board,” it said adjourning the matter for further hearing on November 13 when the explanation is likely to be placed on record.
